Dr.Kalam’s elder son Mr.Maraikayar’s grandson Sheik Dawood presented the objectives of the foundation which aims to help research and foster innovation in the areas of Water Conservation, Environment, Education, Farming and more. Mr.V.Ponraj, scientist and a long term associate of Dr.Kalam eloquently narrated a summary of Dr.Kalam’s career.

Many of Dr.Kalam’s colleagues recalled their moment with the former President of India, his simplicity, dedication and love for the country. In one occasion many years ago when a team headed by Dr.Kalam was visiting islands off coast of Orissa for selecting a missile launch site while returning to shore from what’s now Abdul Kalam Island (Wheelers Island) the boat they were travelling broke down due to engine failure, it was late evening and while others were worried for their life Dr.Kalam requested that since all the planners for the project are on board why don’t they spend time preparing a blueprint for next 5 years, such was the dedication of the missile man. In another occasion former PM Sri P.V.Narasimha Rao not willing to relieve Dr.Kalam from active duty made him Principal Scientific Advisor with an office and two senior staff, it was meant to be a honorary role with no defined duties. Not one to sit idle, with this limited manpower he and his office conducted over 5000+ interviews across the country and prepared a 23 volume Vision 2020 document. The 4 hours I spent listening to many such incidents was super inspiring and motivating. I felt proud to be an Indian and to have born in Tamil Nadu, the state that produced the likes of Dr.Kalam.

I tabled few requests to the trustees – to develop a science museum in Rameswaram where kids can touch/feel/play/put together the items in the display; to make available to the public to read freely the 20,000+ books that Dr.Kalam had in his personal library.